Spring Training hasn’t even started, and the Chicago White Sox have already taken their first L of 2026.

The Southsiders’ social media account rung in the first day of Black History Month on Sunday with a timeline looking back ‘upon momentous firsts for the White Sox organization.’ Some of the more notable moments included Comiskey Park hosting the first Negro Leagues All-Star Game in 1933, Al Smith becoming the organization’s first Black All-Star in 1960 and current manager Will Venable becoming the third Black White Sox manager in team history and one of two active Black managers in 2024.

But there was one glaring omission.

Frank Thomas, the club’s all-time leader in home runs (448), RBIs (1,465), runs scored (1,327), doubles (447), walks (1,466), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.568), and total bases (3,949), was absent aside from a brief mention under Dick Allen’s MVP section. None of his franchise records, five All-Star appearances, four Silver Sluggers, AL batting title — or his streak of seven consecutive seasons with at least a .300 average, 100 RBIs, 100 runs scored, 100 walks and 20 home runs from 1991-1997 — were in the post.

And the Big Hurt himself noticed.

‘I Guess the black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable!’ he said in a reply to the post. ‘Don’t worry I’m taking Receipts!’

Thomas’ tweet ratioed the White Sox with over 2,000 likes and 218 retweets compared to 264 likes and 88 retweets on the original post as of 2:00 p.m. ET.

The Cincinnati Reds awoke from their winterlong slumber long enough to welcome back the oldest of friends: Eugenio Suárez.

The Venezuelan slugger, who pounded 49 home runs last season and hit 189 for the Reds between 2015 and 2021, agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the club Feb. 1, taking the top remaining offensive player off the market.

Suárez, 34, was an All-Star for Cincinnati in 2018, when he hit 34 home runs, and again last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was dealt to the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline and was an ideal fit, hitting 13 homers for the Mariners and then three more in the postseason, including a go-ahead Game 5 grand slam that put the Mariners within one game of their first World Series berth.

But the Mariners lost Games 6 and 7 at Toronto and Suárez hit the market. Meanwhile, the Reds whiffed on their efforts to land slugger Kyle Schwarber, then went virtually silent on the offensive front the remainder of the winter, save for trading infielder-outfielder Gavin Lux and taking flyers on outfielders such as JJ Bleday.

In Suárez, they get proven pop accompanied by massive strikeout totals: He fanned 195 times last season and led the AL in 2022 and ’23, punching out 214 tiimes the latter year. Still, he slides seamlessly into the DH spot and can spell the defensively-great Ke’Bryan Hayes at third should the Reds desire a bat-heavy look on certain days.

Suárez’s agreement was first reported by ESPN.

Eugenio Suarez stats

The 34-year-old slugger batted .228 with 49 home runs, 118 RBIs and 91 runs scored in 159 games last season, split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.

Eugenio Suarez contract

Suarez is reportedly signing a one-year contract worth $15 million.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan are just around the corner. Rosters are set, and all that awaits is the first puck drop of the men’s tournament on Feb. 11. 

A lot is at stake for the upcoming Olympics. Not only does every team want to win gold, but individual players will be looking to have good campaigns in their own right.

For many star players, it will be a chance to take a break from their clubs and experience a new atmosphere on a bigger stage. In a short and high-stakes, best-on-best tournament, all eyes will be on the big-name stars and whether they can perform under the brightest lights.

With that, here are five players who have the most to prove at the Olympics, in no particular order.

Connor Hellebuyck, G, Team USA

Although Connor Hellebuyck has been arguably the best goaltender of this generation, winning a Hart Trophy and three Vezina Trophies in his career so far, he has plenty to prove.

While he’s had individual success as a goaltender, Hellebuyck struggles to perform when the games matter most. His playoff numbers for the Winnipeg Jets are evidence of that.

Despite a career average of a .917 save percentage in the regular season, that stat drops to .903 percent in the post-season. In fact, in his last three playoff campaigns, Hellebuyck hasn’t posted an SP better than .886.

He’s projected to be Team USA’s starting goaltender at the Games, and though skill is abundant in front of him, Hellebuyck will be relied on when it matters most. The 32-year-old will have to prove that he has what it takes to shine on the big stage.

Auston Matthews, C, Team USA

Despite being on track for his seventh-career 40-goal season, the 28-year-old center is on pace to finish under a point per game for the first time since his rookie campaign. Last season, he only recorded 33 tallies, but he at least mustered 78 points in 67 games in an injury-riddled year.

Then, there are the playoffs, specifically Game 7’s. Matthews and the Maple Leafs have become infamous for their constant failures in do-or-die outings. In fact, he has never scored a goal in a Game 7, despite six appearances in such events in his career.

To his credit, he recorded two assists in the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Team Canada and finished the tournament with three assists. However, he didn’t score a single goal, nor come out of the competition victorious.

Can he prove to be different this time around?

Elias Pettersson, C, Team Sweden

Elias Pettersson certainly hasn’t been the same player since he signed his massive eight-year, $92.8-million contract ahead of the 2024-25 season.

His downfall, and the Vancouver Canucks at that, began last season when the Swedish centerman only recorded 15 goals and 45 points in 64 appearances. Those numbers came just one year off an 89-point season, and two years removed from a 102-point campaign.

There was reason for concern over Pettersson’s play, and now, with the Canucks taking a step back as an organization, there doesn’t seem to be an imminent improvement from an individual standpoint at the club level.

However, there’s a new opportunity for Pettersson at the Olympics as he’ll represent Sweden. At the Olympics, he can prove to the hockey world that he is still an elite and valuable centerman to his team.

He put up zeros across the board in three outings at the 4 Nations. He’ll be looking for a better outcome in Milan.

Jordan Binnington, G, Team Canada

Ahead of Team Canada’s official roster announcement in late December, there was plenty of noise around St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and whether he should be selected to the team.

His numbers have been woeful in the NHL this season, averaging a 3.60 goals-against average and a .866 SP in 31 games.

Nonetheless, Team Canada’s brass decided that he should still tag along, likely related to how he performed at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. He led the Canadians from the crease, executing clutch saves in crucial moments, including in the championship game.

Therefore, he’s back with the national team, but this time at a bigger competition against more teams, which will result in more games. 

It’s unclear if Canada will give Binnington the nod to begin the competition. But if he starts in goal in the first match, he’ll have the opportunity to prove his critics wrong, for the second straight year, and on arguably the biggest stage in hockey.

Sebastian Aho, C, Team Finland

For years now, the tale of the Carolina Hurricanes has been that they do not have a true superstar on the team. That perspective could be seen as a slight to center Sebastian Aho.

Aho will have a crucial role for Team Finland in these Olympics. No. 1 center Aleksander Barkov went down with a significant injury during training camp with the Florida Panthers. He’ll be out for the Olympics, leaving the assumed position of Finland’s top-line center to Aho.

The 28-year-old has been consistent for the Hurricanes with three 80-plus-point campaigns, and is on pace for another. Additionally, he’s been a constant force in the post-season as he never registered fewer than 10 points in a playoff campaign across seven trips.

However, while he’s been good, he’ll have to be great at the Olympics if Finland wants to do better than a bronze-medal finish. Aho is in a great position to highlight himself as a star in the NHL with this upcoming opportunity for his country.

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Jim and John Harbaugh aren’t the NFL’s lone brotherly head-coaching duo anymore.

The Arizona Cardinals have hired Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their new head coach.

LaFleur, 38, is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur.

LaFleur met with Cardinals officials for a second interview on Jan. 26 and 27, according to multiple reports. His hire comes just seven days after the Rams’ season ended with a 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak interviewed Saturday but is expected to be hired by the Las Vegas Raiders, according to multiple reports.

The Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon on Jan. 5 after he finished 3-14 in his third season at the helm. Arizona finished with the worst point differential (minus-133) of any NFC team and ended the year with 25 players on injured reserve.

While LaFleur has not held a play-calling role for the Rams in his three-year run on Sean McVay’s staff, he has played an integral part in setting up an offense that ranked first in scoring and total yards this season.

In Arizona, LaFleur could be facing a reset that extends beyond the coaching staff. Quarterback Kyler Murray’s future with the organization could be in flux after suffering a foot injury in Week 5 that would sideline him for the remainder of the season. Releasing Murray outright would result in a $57.7 million dead cap hit, according to Over The Cap.

The wait continues. The 2026 NASCAR Cook Out Clash exhibition race was postponed even further due to inclement weather.

After originally being postponed until Monday, NASCAR announced the race will now be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4 due to a second winter storm in as many weeks blanketing Winston-Salem, N.C., with up to 8-10 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

‘Out of an abundance of caution due to hazardous road conditions, NASCAR and the City of Winston-Salem agreed to move all on-track sessions for The Clash to Wednesday to allow safer travel,’ NASCAR said in a statement on Sunday.

Events around the Cook Out Clash were canceled because of the winter storm: the FanFare on Fourth, originally set for Friday, and the Cars & Coffee event planned for Sunday morning will not proceed as planned.

When is 2026 NASCAR Clash? Race day, time

The 2026 Cook Out Clash is now scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The new schedule has practice and qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday to be streamed on the Fox Sports app, and Last Chance Qualifying is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox.

Where is 2026 NASCAR Clash?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash is being held at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The stadium is home to the Winston-Salem State University football team. The short track inside the stadium also hosts modified and stock car races.

NASCAR Clash TV schedule: What channel is NASCAR Clash on?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash will be televised nationally on Fox at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Stream the 2026 Cook Out Clash on Fubo

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cook Out Clash?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash can be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. All NASCAR races on Fox or FS1 can also be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to take a piece of the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl magic for themselves, with the hopes that the team’s latest hire from the franchise works out better than the last.

The Raiders are set to hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their new head coach, according to multiple reports.

Kubiak’s hire cannot become official until after Super Bowl 60, in which the Seahawks will face off against the New England Patriots for a chance at the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.

Kubiak, 38, did not have an in-person interview with the Raiders until Jan. 31. The Raiders and Arizona Cardinals stood as the only two teams that had not filled head-coaching vacancies entering the weekend, with eight others already having made hires this offseason.

Tapped by coach Mike Macdonald last year to oversee a reimagining of Seattle’s offense, Kubiak led a unit that ranked third in scoring and was one of the league’s most explosive attacks. Quarterback Sam Darnold slipped in seamlessly to the scheme with his aggressive passing, which helped wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba outpace the rest of the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards.

A far more imposing undertaking awaits in Las Vegas, which fired former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll after posting a 3-14 record in his lone season at the helm. With continued problems up front, the Raiders posted a league-worst 77.5 rushing yards per game despite selecting running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick last April. Meanwhile, quarterback Geno Smith − acquired by Las Vegas in a trade with the Seahawks last March − led the NFL with 17 interceptions while tying for first in sacks taken (55).

A major reworking could be ahead in the coming months. Not only are the Raiders projected to have the second-most cap space of any team this offseason with $81.3 million, according to Over The Cap, but they also hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely seen as the overwhelming front-runner for the selection, as the Heisman Trophy winner would give Tom Brady and Mark Davis a long-sought solution behind center.

The Raiders also interviewed Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb, who later dropped out of consideration for the job, and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, among others, with several candidates taking positions elsewhere.

Barnes joked his players might’ve been betting on the game, based on some of their passes late in the game.

‘I mean at the end of the game, some of the passes that we throw, I don’t know what to say other than sometimes I wonder if my guys are betting on games,’ the 11th-year Tennessee coach said. ‘I shouldn’t say that, but … erase that. I’m just wondering what’s happening. I mean because I know that we’re too good of players to do that.’

The 71-year-old coach was clearly joking, but it’s a punchline amid an odd time in college basketball: Twenty men were recently charged in a point-shaving scheme involving 39 players and 17 teams across the sport, where players were earning money for fixing outcomes in games.

Each of the Vols’ starting five players on Jan. 31 committed at least one turnover, with DeWayne Brown II committing the fewest (one).

Barnes and the Vols (15-6, 5-3 SEC) won their third consecutive game on Jan. 31, taking down Alabama, Georgia and Auburn, in order. True freshman forward Nate Ament has been a bright spot during the win streak, with 29, 19 and 22 points, respectively, in the wins.

Tennessee appeared in the Elite Eight in back-to-back tournaments in 2024 and 2025, and is looking to make another run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

To reach that stage again, Barnes might look to his players to start making better passing decisions.

Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said the NCAA should consider levying harsh consequences against Alabama for its role in Charles Bediako joining the team midseason.

Bediako, a two-year starter at Alabama from 2021-23, was in the midst of his third G League season before being granted a temporary restraining order to return to college for the remainder of the campaign.

Pearl said the NCAA should consider banning Alabama from the NCAA tournament this year for allowing Bediako to return to the school years later.

“I think they should consider it,” Pearl said in an interview with OutKick on Saturday, Jan. 31. “I think it’s something that should be talked about. … So, the NCAA, Alabama went ‘Hey, we want to get Bediako eligible. We think there’s some argument that he’s getting treated differently as an American that played professionally vs. European kids.’ It’s a good argument to have but the NCAA said no.

‘They said, ‘No, he’s not eligible. You guys are part of the SEC, you’re part of the NCAA. You guys choose to be here. Therefore, you choose to play by our rules.’ And so, when we don’t like the ruling, what do we do? We go to court and get an injunction.”

Bediako’s temporary restraining order states the NCAA can’t impose sanctions or bans to Alabama as a result of Bediako being allowed to play. In other words, the NCAA can’t consider banning the Crimson Tide from the NCAA Tournament.

Bediako has been a huge boost to Alabama’s frontcourt already. He scored 13 and 14 points, respectively, in his first two games this season against Tennessee and Missouri. ESPN’s Seth Greenberg even called the Crimson Tide a national championship contender with Bediako in the fold.

Regardless, it’s a harsh statement from Pearl, who retired from coaching ahead of the 2025-26 college basketball season. Pearl coached Auburn from 2014-25 and, prior to coaching the Tigers, led Tennessee from 2005-11. His son, Steven Pearl, is in his first season as head coach at Auburn after taking over for his dad.

Pearl led Auburn to two Final Four appearances in 2019 and 2025 and accumulated a 244-123 record in 11 seasons.